Effects of arterial occlusion on the fibrinolytic system

1. 1. Ischemic changes were produced in twelve dogs by embolization with lycopodium spores. Nine dogs were operated upon in a similar manner but were not embolized. Two dogs were anesthetized with pentobarbital, while in two other dogs the femoral artery was occluded for 1 to 3 hours by the application of a hemostat. 2. 2. Fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic activity were studied in these animals by means of undiluted and diluted plasma lysis times, euglobulin lysis times, antithrombolysin lysis times and plasma fibrinogen concentrations for 72 hour periods. 3. 3. Antifibrinolytic activity progressively rose in the animals embolized with lycopodium spores. In those who were operated upon but not embolized antifibrinolytic activity rose slightly during the first 24 hours but then failed to rise significantly. No appreciable changes were noted in the animals merely anesthetized with pentobarbital. 4. 4. Increased fibrinolytic activity appeared in the plasma of dogs whose femoral arteries were clamped with hemostats for 1 to 3 hours. This activity was greatly enhanced by the subsequent administration of Thrombolysin.